Calling all Royal Navy V-class & W-class fans

[Tim Stoneman]

Filipe,
There's a thread entitled "Destroyers of Australia 1909-2009" on the World Naval Ships Forum (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/index.php - you need to register to see the photos); both pages of the thread have some photos of VOYAGER.
Tim

[Filipe Ramires]

Thanks Tim. Registered on that board now. Will take a look.
Cheers,

Filipe

[phil gollin]

A couple of e-bay auctions with some views of V & W class destrpyers ;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HMS-Walker-Royal- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WW2-Photos-HMAS-V ... dZViewItem

.

[HMS Zulu]

Bought a couple of cheap Vampire's off eBay from Hong Kong (two of them including postage worked out cheaper than buying two in a shop in the UK), one as a source of parts for my HMS Wellington and the other to build as either a WW1 example or a long range escort, possibly the one that features in 'The Cruel Sea' (HMS Vipress from what I recall)

[mike mccabe]

I think the spelling was Viperous, as with Compass Rose, not a real ship but a suitable name

Mike

PS apologies once again for the delay with the grimsby, will post tomorrow assuming my local post office has sorted out the problems they were having today

[HMS Zulu]

I'll have to have a re-read and note down any details about the Destroyer. I thought it might be interesting to do a fictional ship as it would give me a bit of artistic licence when finishing the kit - for the same reason i'm tempted to do a WEM Flower class as Compass Rose.

No worries about the Grimsby Sloop, looking forward to it.

[MichelB]

I have some question about the images of the HMS Veteran's builder's model.
First, the AA platform, what kind of guns are shown next to the bigger one? Are they single Pompoms? And they seem grouped awfully close, is this realistic?

[HMS Zulu]

I received the WEM photo etch for the V and W class Destroyers today - does anyone have a list of modifications or any photos etc that can help me convert one into a Long Range Escort?

Cheers, Rob

[finnfan]

Hi Rob

I am in the process of converting the Tamiya kit to a LRE - HMS Whitehall in 1942. These are the notes I made to jog my memory.
Appearance
NB Modified W class (1st group) had straight stern instead of concave
Good picture of Winchelsea similar appearance Apr 42 shows more midships detail � Raven & Roberts pg 21
1942
retained S/L tower and 3� gun in bandstand. 20mm/2pdr (not clear in photo if 20mm or 2pdr, but most likely 2pdr) bandstands appear to be square and abreast (ie not staggered) Lenton & Colledge British Destroyers Vol 1- upper GA drawing appears to be nearest to this configuration. Raven & Roberts profile shows 1942 appearance. Pendant no.in WA green. 6 Carley floats � one each side of fore shelter deck, two each side amidships at deck level. Bridge supports one wide, one narrow bay
1943
S/L tower and 3� bandstand removed. Pendant no. in black. Same camouflage scheme
Modifications needed from Tamiya kit
� Remove both sets of TT and plug holes
� No paravanes
� A & Y guns removed and plug holes
� DCT need to be added � pair ahead of aft deck house, pair abaft
� DC rails
� Bridge front OK. Shape of open bridge platform appears to be extended
� Extended bridge wings from WEM PE fret (item 13). Slot in bridge needs to be extended and tongue on inside shortened to fit. WEM part extends too far to rear. Re-make.
� Hedgehog and ready use lockers in A position
� Boat equipment � whaler port. Motor boat Stbd.
� Sirens & platform on funnel
� Tall RDF lantern
� Extra �pole� behind fore mast � possible galley funnel
� 2pdr bandstands look like two square platforms linked by narrow walkway
� S/L platform still fitted in 1942
� No HF/DF mast
� Sand stern to remove concave shape

Please note these notes are specific to Whitehall and there were some variations between vessesl. In general it seems the later in the war the more stripped down the look
If you can get hold of the Raven & Roberts V & W class book, that is an excellent reference. Also try the IWM online photo search. If there is one ship that takes your fancy from the thumbnails, it is worth ordering a glossy print although they are a bit pricey as they are generally very sharp and show up details.
Good luck

Don

[HMS Zulu]

Thanks Don, much appreciated. Have you, or anyone else reading this, read the Antony Preston book? Despite being larger it's a lot cheaper than the Raven & Roberts book

[Graham Boak]

I have, and recommend, both. The photographs are much better in R&R, whereas Preston has a fuller history. I find them complementary.

[Gilbert]

Very nice HMS Volunteer by Don McKeand on 31-07 gallery

Congratulations Don . The sea effect and the bow wave in particular, looks very realistic.

Gilbert

[Solomo]

Hi all:
Anyone happen to have or know a source for LRE - version V & W plans - especially the hull lines?
Want to do a scratch project.
Thanks in advance,
P.

[finnfan]

As far as I know the appearance of the exterior of the hull remained much as built, although the interior was drastically altered to permit more fuel to be carried at the expense of boilers associated with the fore funnel. The deck layout varied between different units and also evolved as the war went on. The only drawing I know of showing a Long Range escort is in Anthony Preston's book on the V & W class, but is so basic that it would only be of use if building a 1/700 model, and onlt then with a decent set of reference photos.

Don

[Solomo]

Thanks Don - I do have the Preston (and Raven) books, but they really aren't sufficient.
I'll keep trying........
P

[mike mccabe]

As Don says the LRE conversions don't seem to be well documented, I've not seen any plans other than the basic ones already mentioned. I think the only thing to do with the current information is try and get photographic evidence of the ship you want and try and work out from other photos what the details were. Not ideal but then again nobody can say you are wrong either.

Mike

[Quincy]

I still have to buy the WEM V-W photoetch set. So much to do, so little time.



Bob Pink.

[mike mccabe]

I've got to the stage where I just need to add rigging and some hull numbers of my build of Vivacious. I added a little detail to the kit in the form of a few vents and pipes but in combination with the wem set (another recommendation for you Bob!) I have to say I am really pleased with this kit, I think it's a delightful little ship.

Mike

[Mike E.]

Alcon:

I just came across this beautiful undated photo of the bridge of HMAS Vampire in her latter camo scheme, apparently taken from a larger ship alongside her.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/4980466005/

I am hoping that perhaps it was one of a series of photos taken at this time, that might show other parts of Vampire further aft, and that might therefore shed light on what armaments she carried on her searchlight platform and in place of her aft torpedo tubes toward the end of her career. I plan to contact the HMAS Cerberus Museum which is the source of the photo. I will let you know what I find out.

Meanwhile, enjoy!

Mike E.

[dick]

Great find Mike. Looks like another one of those taken from Royal Sovereign on 4th March 1942.

As you say, lets hope there are more....

Best wishes.